The Portland Press Herald’s longest-tenured editor is capping his red pen after 35 years working as a journalist in Maine.

John Richardson, managing editor, is retiring this summer. His last day is July 4.

Richardson has taken on a variety of roles in his three-and-a-half decades at the paper, including editor, reporter and columnist. He’s worked with hundreds of journalists in the state and mentored many newcomers in the newsroom.

David Hench, a former Press Herald reporter, said Richardson has had an “incredible impact” on the newspaper and Maine journalism.

“There are a whole lot of people who are better informed because he chose to do this instead of work in HR or build toasters,” Hench said.

Richardson started at the Evening Express in 1990, and when that folded soon after, he joined the Press Herald. Over the years, he covered city government, state politics, health, the environment and fisheries. 

He joined the editing ranks in 2012 as an assistant city editor, became metro editor in 2015 to oversee local coverage and was promoted to city editor in 2018. In 2021, he was tapped as deputy managing editor to replace Dieter Bradbury as well as manage the paper’s politics coverage, and in November, he and Julia Arenstam were promoted to co-managing editors. 

“It’s a privilege to do this work, and I’m grateful for the experiences and the people who shared their stories and the opportunity to work with so many talented journalists,” Richardson said. 

Current and former colleagues spoke of Richardson’s talent, dedication and insight, as well as his soft-spoken, even-keeled nature. 

Jeff Ham, a former editor who worked with Richardson for over 30 years, said Richardson was always “steady,” even during high-stress election nights. 

“He seemed like the calm in the middle of the storm no matter what,” he said. 

Hench, who worked with Richardson for 26 years, said Richardson’s only giveaway when he was angry was that “his eyes might widen.”

Bradbury, a veteran journalist, summed up his relationship with Richardson in a few words: “He’s one of my favorite people.” 

“He kind of shatters all the journalistic stereotypes about journalists — (that they’re) aggressive, they’re cynical, they’re harsh,” Bradbury said. “John’s not like that. He’s … such a decent human being with so much positivity but also a really top-notch journalist who gets the story and writes it really well.” 

His skill at in-depth reporting, coupled with his respect from colleagues made for a natural transition from reporter to editor.

“John and I started working together at a time when the Maine papers were really still growing. … The paper was the dominant force in Maine journalism and John was a big part of that. His work on the marine beat, and then as an environmental reporter … made a mark,” Bradbury said. “I think now that he’s stepping down, it’s kind of the end of an era.” 

On many nights of his career, Richardson has been the last person in the newsroom, staying late to talk to a reporter and ensuring the story is done right. 

Staff Writer Kelley Bouchard worked with Richardson as a fellow reporter for more than a decade.

“I often come across his stories when I write about issues that he covered in the past,” Bouchard said. “I can always count on the accuracy, clarity and depth of his work.”

More recently, Richardson was her supervising editor for 10 years, overseeing breaking news and special projects with both calm and ease, she said, adding that he respects reporters’ individual abilities and recognizes the challenges facing them out in the field.

“John is a reporter’s editor,” Bouchard said. “He never forgot what it’s like after being on the front lines for 25 years.”

In a note to staff, Executive Editor Carolyn Fox called Richardson “the perfect combination of tenacious and humble.”

“John has left his mark on the newsroom and the state,” she said. “He will be greatly missed.” 

With Richardson’s departure, Arenstam will become the sole managing editor, overseeing the paper’s day-to-day operations. 

The Press Herald has brought in Gina Kaufman, a longtime reporter at the Detroit Free Press, to oversee coverage of criminal justice, courts, Portland City Hall, health and the environment. Kaufman, most recently an investigative reporter, has also covered criminal justice and local government.  

Reporter Eric Russell, who oversees the paper’s “quick strike” investigative team, has been promoted to news editor. He will also manage state politics and education coverage starting June 12.  

Alex McCann, assistant web editor, has also been promoted to news editor to oversee general assignment reporting, weekend assignments and other news-related projects.

It will be hard to leave the newsroom, Richardson said, but it helps to know the paper will be in good hands. 

“Mainers are lucky to have such dedicated journalists watching out for them and telling their stories,” he said. “I’m looking forward to being on the consumer side of the news and being surprised when I open the paper or scroll through the website.”